March 11, 2005/Adar I 30 5765, Volume 57, No. 28
East Coast Shabbaton
LEISAH NAMM
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 Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel, director of Chabad at ASU, and ASU student Zachary Charnofsky enjoy snow-filled streets during a Shabbaton in Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo courtesy of Chabad at ASU |
Families in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn - world headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, which sponsored the Shabbaton - hosted the students.
"It was daunting to think of not being able to use a hair straightener or curling iron for 25 whole hours, but somehow we survived," wrote ASU senior Nikki Skillen in a feedback form about the trip. "It was nice to not have to worry about school or work, or even carrying a purse. Shabbos became what it was meant to be - a day of rest and religious reflection."
Over the weekend, students discussed Jewish life on campus, such as anti-Israel sentiment and social activism, and did some sightseeing. They had a sneak preview of the Jewish Children's Museum and toured a mikvah, as well as visited standard New York tourist attractions such as Times Square and the Empire State Building.
The group, accompanied by Rabbi Shmuel and Chana Tiechtel of Chabad at ASU, also prayed at "770" (the main synagogue in Crown Heights, where the Lubavitcher Rebbe used to pray), joined a farbrengen (Chasidic party with singing and storytelling) and wrote letters for blessings at the Ohel (the Rebbe's gravesite).
"The thing that struck me the most about the trip was to be in a seldom-seen environment," Josh Rudin, an ASU graduate student from Iowa wrote about the weekend. "I was naturally curious about the 'black hats.' ... This was my opportunity to not only witness, but participate in their lifestyle."